Straka's sixth career hat trick lifts Rangers over Flyers

Straka was weak before the opening faceoff, better after the
first period, stronger through 40 minutes, and perfect when he
sealed the New York Rangers' latest victory with a breakaway goal.

The understated and overshadowed Straka posted his sixth NHL hat
trick, reached the 20-goal mark for the sixth time and carried the
Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday
night.

Not bad for a guy who loses lots of attention to linemates
Jaromir Jagr and Michael Nylander. With 21 goals, he is only one
shy of his total for last season.

"I don't pay any attention to that," he said. "It doesn't
mean anything to me. I'm not going to pass anybody, I'm not going
to catch anybody. I just try to play my game."

Straka scored in each period for the roller-coaster Rangers, who
are back on an upswing. They have won three straight following a
seven-game losing streak that came on the heels of a season-high,
five-game victory spurt.

Straka gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead and finished his first hat
trick since last March 29 with an unassisted breakaway goal that
made it 3-1 with 13:06 left. Straka, who flashed a wide smile and
fist pumps after each tally, brought dozens of hats raining to the
ice after No. 3.

With Jagr drawing double-teams every game, there is more space
available for Straka and Nylander. If they produce, the strategy
might have to change.

"No. No." Straka said. "It won't."

Philadelphia had its longest winning streak of the season end at
three despite the first goal of the season by Eric Meloche. The
Flyers, 3-2 on their eight-game road trip, are last in the NHL with
11 wins.

Robert Esche had won three straight for the Flyers _ following
the team's record 10-game losing streak _ while making at least 40
saves in each. His workload dipped to 26 saves in this one.

"It's not what the other team does, it's what we do to
ourselves," Esche said. "I think that we allowed them to do
things and you can't do that."

Once Straka connected 4:15 after the opening faceoff,
Philadelphia was essentially done. The Flyers are 1-21-1 when
allowing the first goal and 1-16 when trailing after the first
period.

Henrik Lundqvist did the rest, stopping 22 shots. He lost his
shutout bid when Meloche scored a fluke goal during a third-period
power play, then was bailed out by both goal posts on the shift
right before Straka's final goal.

Mike York intercepted Lundqvist's attempt at an empty-net goal
and scored to make it 3-2 with 21.4 seconds left.

That was the extent of Philadelphia's offense while playing
again without captain Peter Forsberg, who missed the game due to a
groin injury sustained Tuesday. Forsberg is expected to be
sidelined seven-to-10 days, which doesn't bode well for the Flyers
-- 0-10-3 without him.

"It's not an excuse," forward Simon Gagne said. "We are a
good team with Peter and we're a good team without him. You never
know when Peter is going to be in the lineup, so you have to be
ready for it."

New York held a 15-5 shots advantage through the first 20
minutes and then doubled the lead when each team registered four
shots in the second.

Philadelphia's had a prime chance to get back in it late in the
middle frame with a 5-on-3 power play but managed just two shots
during the overall advantage that lasted 3:28.

"We were looking to get something going there," Gagne said.
"You're not going to score when you get nine shots."

Meloche cut the Flyers' deficit to 2-1 at 4:03 of the third when
defenseman Joni Pitkanen's pass from behind the Rangers net hit him
in the right skate and caromed in off Lundqvist.

Nylander set up the first goal, stick-handling in the left
corner and then feeding a perfect pass in front for a quick
one-timer. Straka then fired in a loose puck as Esche lunged across
the goal crease 5:29 into the second.

Straka is only two goals behind teammate Brendan Shanahan, who
along with Jagr, has gone a season-worst seven games without a
goal.

Game notes

Rangers C Blair Betts signed a two-year contract extension.
... Flyers RW Sami Kapanen, who missed one game after sustaining a
concussion Sunday against Carolina, returned. ... G Antero
Niittymaki served as Esche's backup. He sat out three games (hip).
... Straka scored a career-high 35 goals with Pittsburgh during the
1998-99 season. ... Rangers D Marek Malik returned after a six-game
absence (groin).